Justification:
This species is listed as Data Deficient because although it appears to have a restricted range in the southeast of Madagascar and is associated with forest, there is taxonomic uncertainty about specimens from the north of Madagascar (which if proved valid would greatly extend the known range). There is also limited information on the population status and threats to this species.

This species is endemic to the island of Madagascar and appears to be restricted to lowland (<550 m elevation) habitats in the south-east (Goodman et al. 2008). The taxonomic status of specimens from the north of Madagascar remain unresolved (Goodman et al. 2008).

This species has been collected from lowland humid, transitional dry-humid and humid littoral forests, often in areas that have been subject to medium levels of habitat degradation (Goodman et al. 2008). It is known to occur in sympatry with M. majori. There are no records of it roosting in synanthropic settings and it is assumed to roost in caves in forest formations (Goodman et al. 2008).

Although robust data are lacking and there are still some taxonomic uncertainties of specimens from the north of Madagascar, the information on M. petersoni from the south-east suggests that this species is closely associated with natural forest formations and is therefore threatened by the loss or degradation of these habitats (Goodman et al. 2008). Threats to roosting colonies have not yet been documented.

None of the known collecting localities for verified specimens of this species are from within protected areas (Goodman et al. 2008). The taxonomic status of specimens from north Madagascar requires further study.